cost to ship a car from the USA (w.coast)

[village idiot]

just spotted a nice 1958 porsche 356 for a sale with a dealer in California.

i was wondering whether anyone has bought and shipped back a car from w.coast of the us... the approximate costs of shipping, and what other logistics are involved (obviously VAT @ 17.5% on the value at time of importation) such as duty, SVA etc etc.

cheers

[Eviltad]

I'd advise having a look on the forums of thesamba.com

I seem to recall shipping from the US of VW/Porsche parts was common.

[gizlaroc]

West coast is alot cheaper to ship one than East coast as theEast coast is all run buy cartels.

Mate just shipped a Model T Ford from California for £600+insurance and duties, where as one he bought the year before from Miami was over double that.

[Graham]

we shipped a 911 rolling shell from la last november. it was about $1k. you need to watch the handling charges at the dock though cost us 300 quid to get the fecking container moved and opened at the dock so we could stick the thing on a trailer

cheers

G

[Crafty_]

speak to kingstown shipping (http://www.kingstown-shipping.co.uk/) I used them some years ago. They know their stuff and for next to nothing will deal with the tax stuff for you. They can even get it delivered to your door.
As the car is driveable it could go ro-ro.. would be cheaper but its not advised, container is far safer.

You pay import duty (iirc 5-10%) then VAT on the total (yeah, tax on tax)..
I think the rules have changed now but there was a special dispensation for "cars of special interest", this meant you paid 5% import and no VAT, it still exists in some form or other - the "cars of special interest" thing might be low production numbers, its a rare colour or had a rare option. The key to this was the dispensation had to be applied for and granted before the car lands in the UK.

Mark or Alan at Kingstown can advise on the dispensation (and apply for it for you), if the rules have changed they will obviously be able to advise.